ATU Dedicates Farm Credit Agriculture Building
Farm Credit Agriculture Building Provides Hands-On Opportunities for ATU Students
Arkansas Tech University celebrated the dedication of its new Farm Credit Agriculture Building on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Russellville campus. The 2,000-square-foot facility is designed to provide agricultural education and agriculture business students with enhanced hands-on learning opportunities.
The building features eight welding booths, two virtual reality welding instruction stations, and four small machine work stations, giving students access to modern tools that prepare them for careers in agriculture and related industries.
ATU President Dr. Russell Jones praised the collaboration that made the project possible, noting that community partners stepped forward to ensure the facility could be built without debt to the university.
Among the major donors, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas played a leading role in supporting the project. Andrea Leding, Senior Vice President of Operations at Farm Credit, spoke on behalf of the organization during the dedication ceremony.
“As an alum, I know firsthand the impact this university has had on shaping careers and lives,” said Leding. “And as someone who has dedicated my career to Farm Credit, I can tell you that our mission has always been to support agriculture and rural communities. This building embodies that mission. It’s an investment in education, in innovation and in the future of Arkansas agriculture. On behalf of Farm Credit, we are proud to be a part of this milestone. We are planting seeds of knowledge and opportunities that will grow for generations to come.”
Other major contributors included the Farm Bureau Foundation of Arkansas, Conway County Farm Bureau, Pope County Farm Bureau, Yell County Farm Bureau, and Mobley Concrete. Additional support came from Arvest Bank, Blaylock Heating and Air, Greenway Equipment, Union Bank, and several local families and memorial gifts.
The equipment inside the building was funded through a $730,000 federal grant secured by Congressman Steve Womack.
Representing the agriculture department advisory board, Baxter Wallis, loan officer and alumnus of the ATU agriculture program, also spoke at the event, underscoring the importance of industry partnerships in advancing agricultural education.
The dedication ceremony highlighted how Farm Credit and other community partners are investing in the future of Arkansas agriculture by ensuring students have access to cutting-edge facilities and training.
Learn more about the ATU agriculture program at www.atu.edu/agriculture.
Adapted from the original article published by Arkansas Tech News.
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